An introduction to Focusing – non-member ticket

Please note that this ticket is for those who are not members of Lapidus International. Tickets for Lapidus members can be found here. 

Led by Bethany Rivers, a certified Focusing Practitioner, this two hour workshop will give a taster of what Focusing is and how to use it alongside the poem ‘The Layers’ by Stanley Kunitz.

Many of us may have used this poem as a container, guide and prompt in writing for wellbeing sessions at some point with a group. It takes two years to train as a Focusing Practitioner, so this will very much be a taster session that will begin to look at a couple of aspects of Focusing.

Mostly, we will be looking at resonance. Resonance in the body, resonance of words, resonance of feelings and memories. Focusing is about accessing the body-wisdom, coming into compassionate relationship with all the parts of ourselves and helping us find the next step forward, however small that might be. It’s a healing space to have the time to really slow down, express what you need to without interruptions or judgements, whilst being witnessed and companioned on that journey.

A Focusing session can bring fresh perspective and insight by enabling the process of hovering on the edge of what you don’t know, as the body (actually meaning our whole being) knows more than the head does.

Focusing and writing for wellbeing dovetail really well and can help take you deeper into the journey  with the presence of a compassionate listener, and learning to be your own compassionate listener.

About Bethany

Bethany Rivers is a certified Focusing Practitioner with the British Focusing Association and teaches Focusing one to one and in groups. She has an MA in the Teaching and Practice of Creative Writing, has two poetry chapbooks published, a novel and a book on the creative writing process. Bethany has taught creative writing and writing for wellbeing since 2007. She has worked with a diverse range of populations including the bereaved, school pupils, prisoners, young people excluded from the mainstream, families, those with mental health difficulties, post-doctorate students, the homeless and elders.

About the event

Date: Friday 16th May 2025

Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm BST

Venue: Online via Zoom. The joining link will be sent to bookers in advance of the event.

Questions: please direct any enquiries to membership@lapidus.org.uk.

Header photo by Thanhy Nguyen on Unsplash